History: Delaware was the third state in the nation to develop a chemical accident prevention regulation with adoption of the Regulation for the Management of Extremely Hazardous Substances in September 1989. Delaware was the first state to regulate flammables and explosives in addition to toxics.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region III approved the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control’s (DNREC) request to implement and enforce its accidental release prevention program in place of similar federal requirements on August 7, 2001. The Delaware regulation adopts the Federal requirements found in regulation 40 CFR Part 68 with some adjustments and substitutions. Delaware’s regulation includes additional requirements for sources not regulated by the Federal program.